My sister wrote the sweetest blog entry about none other than ME. So here’s a little shout-out to you, sissy:

As I read your blog, I was laughing and crying at the same time. You got me a little veklempt on that one. I have missed you terribly lately. You have been through a lot the last couple years, and you are doing your best, but it has also been hard. Our relationship has changed and I know you have new priorities. Sometimes its hard for me to let go of the “little sister” and I get very sentimental thinking about the good ol’ days. I don’t feel like I know you as well as I used to, but I know we’ve got a lot of great years ahead of us and many new memories to make. You are raising a beautiful baby boy all on your own and have been a great Mommy. At the same time, that also means you had to quickly become a grown-up. I know you aren’t the same person – I see it in your eyes. But how can you be? You have a whole new world of responsibilities and challenges that I can’t begin to imagine. I just don’t ever want you to forget about your awesome self and where you came from, not to mention your sweet spirit that will be there no matter where life goes.

*When Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital, I couldn’t wait to hold you. I remember crying when they took you away from me and put you in brother’s arms for a picture. A couple weeks later, the jealousy started kicking in. But it didn’t last long. I just loved you to pieces from day one.
*Beach days, Kiddie Pools, Slip ‘N’ Slides
*You always had disheveled hair and a smudge of dirt on your face.
*Your birthdays were probably more fun for me than you.
*Doing your hair and make-up. Even now, I still love doing that. Its so fun when you have a pretty, pretty guinea pig!
*You have a competetive nature, and I quickly learned to stay out of your way during a loss.
*You get me (and humor my wacky ways).
*You are so smart.
*You are funny.
*You are beautiful.
*You are strong.
*Karaoke to “I’ve Had the Time of My Life”
*Darren’s Dance Grooves
*Surfin’ USAaaaaaaa
*What in the heck is a jinglebox?
*Roadtrips and concerts (we gotta do one soon!)

I still feel guilty for losing it when you called me a cow, getting pissed when you got the same shoes as me, starting the Pita nickname just to make you upset, pushing you to your “sensitivity level” as much as possible, and punching you really hard while you were sleeping. I also remember thinking about cutting your bangs off, but luckily couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was such a mean older sister, and I’m glad that as adults we can laugh about it and you still want to be my friend!

I also hope you know that you can talk to me about ANYTHING and while we may not always agree, I will always love you and respect your decisions. Bottom line – the memories and love we share will always be ours to cherish. The sister bond is one that everyone knows about, but few get to share. I hope that it never goes away. Can’t wait to see you and give you a squeeze!